If you want to make your chili with meat, begin by browning ground beef in a large pot. Drain the fat into a paper cup. Set the meat aside, and complete Steps 1 through 3. Add the meat during Step 4, as you add the beans.

Try substituting ground turkey for ground beef - it tastes very similar and has less fat.

After you've made the recipe once, experiment with different kinds of pepper - jalapeno is a favorite.

Experiment with the amounts of spices. The amounts listed here are recommendations - you can make your chili more or less spicy.

Be sure to freeze any leftover chili - some say it actually tastes even better after it's been frozen!